STRIKER Matt Derbyshire says he's not bothered where he plays - just as long as he is playing in the beloved Rovers shirt.

With speculation rife that Rovers are preparing a swoop for former Ewood favourite Craig Bellamy, competition will be fierce to partner Benni McCarthy in the Rovers attack with Derbyshire, Jason Roberts, Paul Gallagher and Shabani Nonda - should Rovers decide to sign him permanently from Roma - all vying for one slot.

But Derbyshire knows that he may have to bide his time before he can cement his place in the team.

The 21-year-old has been one of the finds of the season. The Blackburn boy, who made his Premiership debut on the final day of the 2004/2005 season against Fulham, has eight goals to his name this term - the latest coming in the 4-1 win over Charlton on Saturday.

His form also earned him a call-up to the England Under-21s, where he scored on debut in the 3-3 draw against Italy in the first game at the new Wembley.

But the former Great Harwood Town striker says as long as he's in the starting line-up, he'll be a happy man.

He said: "As a striker there's a lot of competition with myself, Jason, Benni and Shabani.

"There's a lot of good players here.

"I've just got to keep fighting, keep popping up with goals and I'm sure I'll do well.

"But as long as I'm on the pitch and I'm playing, I don't care where I play.

"When I come on I tend to play on the right hand side and I get up and down, but my preferred position is as striker.

"I'm not going to be happy (sitting on the bench), but it's something I've got to deal with and it's up to me to show the manager that I'm willing to do better for the team.

"Hopefully I've done that with some of the goals I've scored.

"I didn't realise I could play wide right until I started playing there.

"It's always good if you can play in a couple of positions because then the manager has choices if he's going to bring you on."